MONTROSE, California – Bakhram Murtazaliev was one of boxing’s feel-good stories and breakout stars of 2024.

Murtazaliev’s big year materialized after being stuck on the sidelines as the long-overdue mandatory IBF challenger since 2019, fighting second-rate opposition deep on non-televised PBC undercards while earning step-aside purses. Once the former undisputed champion Jermell Charlo vacated the IBF title in November 2023, the floodgates opened for Murtazaliev soon thereafter to make a name for himself in arguably the sport’s deepest division.

The 32-year-old, 11-year pro from Grozny, Russia knocked out Jack Culcay in April to win the vacant IBF junior middleweight title. In October, Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) defended the title by dropping heavy betting favorite Tim Tszyu three times, scoring a third-round stoppage despite walking into the fight with a broken right hand.

“Everyone thought it was a big upset, but for me, beating Tszyu was not an upset at all,” Murtazaliev told The Ring through a Russian translator after a training session with head coach Roma Kalantaryan at the KD MMA Montrose gym.

“As a fight, it was just another fight for me. I knew what I was going up against and I knew what I was capable of. Now I have more responsibilities as a champion. The knockout came because I worked on my combinations drills about 10,000 times each. It felt automatic even though I was dealing with my hand injury. But my adrenaline was up, and I didn't feel the pain.

“Tsyzu is still a very good fighter in the weight class. He only lost to Sebastian Fundora because of the cut and not because he was not good enough.”

Murtazaliev is now ranked by The Ring as the No. 3 junior middleweight in the world. He’s also in great company. Other titleholders in the division include Terence Crawford (WBA) and Sebastian Fundora (WBC/WBO). The Ring title is vacant.

The Kathy Duva-promoted and Egis Klimas-managed Murtazaliev are planning to return for a fight by summertime, shortly after observing Ramadan. The extra time will also allow for Murtazaliev’s hand to heal even more.

“I'm feeling good,” said Murtazaliev. “I can punch as hard as I want. The right hand has healed with treatments. Life is good. I am training and getting ready for my next fight.”